OT: Japanese AL East Invasion - The Sports Hookup

Mr. Yankee · 04-09-2007, 11:47 PM

http://thesportshookup.blogspot.com/...s-it-west.html

The Japanese East...or is it West?

Sixty percent of the American League East signed a Japanese free agent during the off-season. The Boston Red Sox paid over 100 million dollars to bring starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka across the Pacific. The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays paid considerably less to sign pitcher Kei Igawa and third baseman Akinori Iwamura, respectively.

Matsuzaka started his major league career on a high note, defeating the Royals on April 5. He pitched seven innings, giving up only six hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters. This performance was important in order to keep critics from attacking General Manager Theo Epstein and the rest of Boston’s front office too early in the season.

Iwamura, the least publicized of the three Japanese stars prior to the season's commencement, led the league in hitting as of April 9 with a .529 batting average. Coupled with impressive defensive play, Iwamura’s performance at the plate has made him a steal thus far for the historically inept Devil Rays.

The organization faces a pleasant problem: a logjam on the left side of the infield. With Iwamura, skillful 22-year-old B.J. Upton, and super-prospect Evan Longoria all suited for the third base position, the talent must eventually be spread around to other positions, strengthening the team’s overall skill level.

As for the early-season performance of Igawa, let’s just leave you with his statistics from his April 7 start against Baltimore.

IP=5 H=8 R=7 ER=7 HR=2 BB=3 K=2 ERA=12.60 WHIP=2.20 BAA=.333

Two out of three isn’t bad. -CM

Mr. Yankee · 04-10-2007, 01:20 PM

Bu-dum-bump.

Chrisrud · 04-10-2007, 01:46 PM

Not bad. I am sure your hit count is going to be up today since this was linked over at Deadspin.com

04-09-2007, 11:47 PM	#1
Mr. Yankee Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 2,617	OT: Japanese AL East Invasion - The Sports Hookup http://thesportshookup.blogspot.com/...s-it-west.html The Japanese East...or is it West? Sixty percent of the American League East signed a Japanese free agent during the off-season. The Boston Red Sox paid over 100 million dollars to bring starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka across the Pacific. The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays paid considerably less to sign pitcher Kei Igawa and third baseman Akinori Iwamura, respectively. Matsuzaka started his major league career on a high note, defeating the Royals on April 5. He pitched seven innings, giving up only six hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters. This performance was important in order to keep critics from attacking General Manager Theo Epstein and the rest of Boston’s front office too early in the season. Iwamura, the least publicized of the three Japanese stars prior to the season's commencement, led the league in hitting as of April 9 with a .529 batting average. Coupled with impressive defensive play, Iwamura’s performance at the plate has made him a steal thus far for the historically inept Devil Rays. The organization faces a pleasant problem: a logjam on the left side of the infield. With Iwamura, skillful 22-year-old B.J. Upton, and super-prospect Evan Longoria all suited for the third base position, the talent must eventually be spread around to other positions, strengthening the team’s overall skill level. As for the early-season performance of Igawa, let’s just leave you with his statistics from his April 7 start against Baltimore. IP=5 H=8 R=7 ER=7 HR=2 BB=3 K=2 ERA=12.60 WHIP=2.20 BAA=.333 Two out of three isn’t bad. -CM

04-10-2007, 01:20 PM	#2
Mr. Yankee Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 2,617	Bu-dum-bump.

04-10-2007, 01:46 PM	#3
Chrisrud Veteran Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,279	Not bad. I am sure your hit count is going to be up today since this was linked over at Deadspin.com